SCORES have residents have been rescued in Lancashire as the UK is lashed by torrential rains and strong winds.

Emergency crews across the county received 400 calls and attended 100 incidents after a staggering 4cm of rain fell in just 24 hours in the north of England.

Several homes have had to be evacuated and 27 people had to spend the night in two local pubs.

A Lancashire Fire and Rescue spokesperson said: "The majority of these incidents have not involved a life risk but where there have been residents and animals at risk, our crews have attended and helped out.

"Some of the more serious incidents have included helping move vulnerable people out of their homes, moving animals that have been trapped and pumping water out of houses where the flood water was affecting the electricity.”